Anderson Mary – Assessments

As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Mary Anderson (Ghana)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author by this book demonstrates the power of thoughts on one’s being. Thoughts are the basic determinants of what we are, what we will be, how we are, who we are and why we are what we are. This concept teaches that what we are is a fair reflection of what and how our thoughts are and what we will be is catalyzed by what we think. It also teaches that virtue, success, good health, prosperity and all that is considered positive are achievable provided our thoughts are guarded and guided in that direction. Hence it is vital that our thoughts be controlled, guided, regulated and trained in the paths of purity and optimism for the betterment of humankind.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

Personally, I deem these ideas important and the reasons are as discussed under each one of the seven ideas. The ideas are that:

* Our thoughts define us
We are defined by our character; thought and character are known to be polar parallel. Character which defines us is also considered here as the physical manifestation of our thoughts in us as we interact with the environment under different circumstances. We are thus what we constantly think. Therefore guiding and training my thoughts in paths of purity, optimism, love, clemency and peace would impact on my personality and make me a better person in society and one who lives in harmony with all. This would help in yielding a noble and God-like character, which would not be a thing of favour or chance.

* Relationship between Circumstances and Thoughts
In the arrangement of life there is no element of chance, with all being the result of a strict law which cannot err; and that is good begets good and evil begets evil. Circumstances are usually so complicated that the application of this law to everyone of it becomes difficult most often. However, thoughts are known to be deeply rooted in the cause effect analysis of circumstances. By our thoughts we attract that which we are, until we have reached the zenith of our cherished aspirations, and then we fall to the level of our unchastened desires, where circumstances force us to learn from our shortfalls. Every seed sown by way of thought in the mind, and allowed to take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage of opportunity and circumstance.

* Good Health is a consequence of good thought
Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Strong, pure and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace for habits of thought always produce their own effects, good or bad, upon the body. For the mind trained in rightful thinking is disciplined enough and would not thrive in insanitary conditions, consume anything anyhow without control and indiscriminately abuse its sexuality; for such are the sources of a great number of diseases and infections that keep nagging at humankind. Presently most diseases and poor health are often life style related and are acquired as a result of our inability to adequately discipline ourselves and to set boundaries on the things that gives us pleasure. Good thoughts beget good character and hence good life styles which impact positively on our health and translates as good health.

* Life ought to be driven by a sense of Purpose.
Aimlessness is a vice and this cannot be gainsaid. It is only when good thought is linked with purpose, could there be any intelligent accomplishment. A sense of purpose helps us set a destination towards which we journey, in our quest to make the world a better place for us all. Without it we could all be of good thoughts but there will still be no peace for that way we easily lose focus. A sense of purpose helps us define our path, set out goals and gives us a clue as to how to work towards it. It is that which gives us hope for a better tomorrow even at the point when everything is bleak.

* Success Is a Level / Stage of Reflection
The reward to continuous attempt at achieving a set goal, born out of good thoughts and practices is success. It is that which naturally crowns our efforts and toils when the work is over and done with. Success is brought about by one’s own continued effort and not by chance. It should therefore be seen as a level / stage which when attained is meant for continual betterment of humanity and not an avenue for the oppression of the vulnerable. At that point when one is said to be successful, it is expected that one helps society with the gathered experience in any possible way; especially in the mentoring of others so society could always have great men and steer towards achieving something new.

* Ambition Moves The World
The visible world is sustained by that deemed invisible to the majority but visible to the few who move the world. These few dreamers are the saviours and movers of the world. It is therefore a good thing to be ambitious, for it is ambition that inspires in one visions, dreams and ideals which when cherished, kept and pursued, yields a discovery, invention etc. Guided pursuance of ambition would always contribute towards the betterment of humankind.

* Serenity
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. Born out of long and patient effort in self control, serenity of mind is an indication of ripened experience and maturity. It is a requirement for better and right understanding of human actions. It is golden, for it is that which when acquired makes you peaceful and the world at large.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas have taught me the key to be the master of my thought, the molder of my character and hence personality and maker and shaper of whatever condition encountered, the environment and even my destiny. When I have mastered the act of governing myself then transforming the world around me is made easier, for I can understand others rightfully to guide them into making the world a better place for us all.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

* Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.
Many are the people I have seen and heard of in our part of the world, who are seen to have become less humans when they are successful. But I realize that, in our successes the only things that make us less human are our own latent weaknesses and not the magnitude of the success. The circumstance of success does not in any way make us mean or wicked but rather emphasizes our propensity towards what we would do given the chance.

* Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.
Apart from the magnetic repulsion between like poles, there is no other known repulsion between likes. We therefore attract that which we secretly harbor, love and fear since our likes and dislikes are determined by a number of factors with our mind at the core. Thus if we do not really like situations we attract it could be changed by changing our thought process. For none that thinks evil attracts peace and thus becomes peaceful: for our thoughts are the fount of our actions, life and manifestations.

* One man is an oppressor because many are slaves; let us despise the slaves.
It is easier for as to find excuses and someone to blame for our circumstances but rarely do we try to solve problems regarding our circumstances by starting with ourselves. Often we blame our governments for not creating an enabling environment, our employers for not paying us as we are worth, the rich for not been responsive enough to the plight of the poor but rarely do we brave the odds to find out what we can do to improve ourselves and the corner in which we find ourselves. In the face of injustice we shut up, usually because we are not the victims; and when we see one in our own class suffering we withdraw instead of reaching out. The masses are slaves because there is none ready to stand up and meet challenges from within or without head on. Put it the words of the author, “We are always anxious to improve our circumstances, but are not willing to improve ourselves”.

* Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.
Calmness of mind translates into gentleness of one’s being and perfect composure of one’s self. Ability to remain composed irrespective of the situation encountered is a mark of experience in dealing with others and maturity. It is indicative that one has a right understanding of others.

* Man is the master of thought, the molder of character and maker and shaper of condition, environment and destiny.

Even in his weakest and most abandoned state man is still the master and thus can make or unmake himself. As the master of thought, the molder of character and maker and shaper of condition, environment and destiny there are no limits to what he can be and do as long as he lives. There are limitless choices and opportunities available to him provided he would take advantage of them. Right choices and apt application of the opportunities offered by way of thoughts, definitely yields a better and peaceful world for everyone, vices are thus reduced to minimal and virtuousness is magnified and perfection is approached. Wrong choices and wrong thoughts are precursors for a chaotic world.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so, why?

The statements “Every man is where he is by the law of his being” and “Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice,” are unclear to me. Apart from these all others were well understood.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

I identified a number of exercises, performance of which takes continual effort and commitment for better results. To me each of these exercises contributes towards helping me master the act of molding and shaping any circumstance encountered in this life and consequently, my destiny. These exercises I consider more than helpful because, I now find in me a power and a formidable tool of change; a planned and well executed change that is by no means per chance and which could be regulated and molded towards the achievement of desiring success and perfection.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

There is nothing left unaddressed.

A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Mary Anderson (Ghana)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Determination and perseverance are powerful tools for success and perfection; and these two factors, (determination and perseverance) are the main ideas conveyed in the book. Per the book these two concepts are vital for self actualization; – with determination as the driving force that teases one to stand up to a challenge (a goal) and perseverance as that quest for achieving positive results which lets you try again even in the face of failure and trying circumstances.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

The ideas I identified as personally important to me are as follows:

* Complacency, A Source of Regression
Jonathan Livingston dared to be a different seagull from the rest of the flock. Just
learning the simplest facts of flight was never enough for him, he wanted to know all that there was to it and like Oliver Twist dared to ask for more. Unlike the rest of the flock he wanted to know more than how to get from shore to food and back again and was not complacent with just the basics he had been taught. By satisfying his quest to know more than the others he had the chance to gain an experience which millions in his generation never had an opportunity for even a single peep at.

I deem this important because, many a times we are all faced with a number challenges where we are dared to deviate from the norm but usually we are found kow towing for fear of being rejected or ostracized by our peers. This has been one of the obvious reasons for degeneration of moral standards in our current world and the concurrent ascendancy in vices afflicting our world and humankind today.

* Determination As A Driving Force
Determination is the force that teases us to stand up to a challenge. It is that with which Jonathan Livingston finally succeeded as that special seagull with perfection at flight. I find this personally important, due to the fact that it keeps us going even in the face of ostracism, weaknesses, poverty etc. It is that which gives us a reason to hope for a better tomorrow and inspires us to press on even in our weaknesses and that thirst which is quenched only when the deed is over and done with.

* Perseverance
Jonathan Livingston Seagull was pronounced an outcast from his flock for daring to be different, (which to the rest of the gulls was a violation of their dignity and tradition), but he did not give up on himself; instead he persevered even in banishment to solitary life on the far cliffs, and with determination kept practicing until he could fly at altitudes and speed considered impossible for seagulls and reserved for some other airborne creatures. Perseverance is that quest for achieving positive results which lets you try again in the faces of failure and trying circumstances. It is that which guarantees our success or breakthrough after continuous trials and initial attempts at achieving have all failed. Perseverance is thus an important tool for success, because it enlightens one about his weaknesses, strengths, etc. and opens the door of another chance or possibility of another attempt at success.

* Practice Is Vital To Perfection
Continual rehearsals at what we determine to be make us perfect at it. Rehearsals makes us aware of our mistakes, provides the platform for correction and an avenue for new ideas that help in perfecting what we do.

* Selflessness, An Avenue for More of One’s Kind
When one is finally considered to have been perfected at something, (is considered master in a field), there is the need to reach out to others who wish to come to that point of perfection also. Jonathan, the seagull at a stage had reached an envious level at flight but chose to come back to his old flock to help anyone of them who was also suffering the fate he went through. This is an important value worth emulating because with selflessness, then do we get more people who have perfected at what they loved to do most and hence are willing to contribute wholeheartedly towards the betterment of humankind.

* Love
Love is the greatest of them all. It is that which when in abundance would make us all feel at ease with one another and trust each other. It is the path to peace among humanity, and though difficult to practice, the one sure way to happiness in our world. I find this personally important because, it helps us understand each other, accept one another for who and what they are and support one another regardless of their weakness, shortfalls etc. Love is that which can unite us all as a people without regards to colour, sex, race, social class etc.

* In Unity Lies Strength
With one accord the old Jonathan Livingston, led a flock of outcasts Seagulls to cause a mental revolution amongst the rest of the flock, so they could embrace what lies in flying at higher altitudes. United we always stand, but when we are divided we would always fall. This encourages us to remain united in fighting a problem rather than fighting amongst ourselves, for that way it is easier to win than when we fight alone.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas and the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull would always motivate me not to give up until I have been successful. It would also encourage me not to give in to external pressure when I know what I am doing. I have come to understand also that it would not be the first case if I’m discouraged at an attempt to achieve something new for myself. Lastly the sky is the limit to the achievements I can chalk in this life, provided I can stay focused and remained determined at whatever I set out to do, for impossibility exists only when you want it to exist.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

* Heaven is not a place, and it is not a time. Heaven is being perfect.
The belief in the existence of heaven is a proclamation of faith in a Supreme Being. Heaven could indeed be a connotation of perfection. If it could, then, perfection at the right things by each soul in this world could make our world a heaven on earth. There would then be no need to wait until after death to be peaceful, joyous, et cetera, for in perfection at what we consider virtuous and valuable would our world be one without the present day vices – which is the most lucid picture of heaven known to humankind.

* Overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now.
As insurmountable as space and time are, if they are finally conquered all that would be left are here and now; so if there is anything that ought to be done, it must be done now. Procrastination impedes progress, so it pays to act when the opportunity presents itself. This statement also signifies that we must appreciate whatever we have and we are now, for there might be no second chance for appreciating them by tomorrow.

* The trick was to know that his true nature lived, as perfect as an unwritten number.
This statement encourages one to maximize his/her potentials without regards to limits such as age, race, sex, stature etc. It encourages one to emphasize on his/her strengths, abilities and talents, to be conscious about his/her weaknesses without giving in to the limits set by these weaknesses and to also maximize the power of the mind.

* It always works, when you know what you’re doing.
Knowing what we are doing and what we seek to achieve are vital to becoming successful. For when we do not know what we are doing we accept whatever feat we attain as an outcome and okay with us. We become complacent with even nothing at all, accept mediocrity as means to ends, obtain poor results for even the best of everything and fail to unveil the greatness that lies within us. But when we know what we are doing, then do we realize it when we falter or fall short of our expectations; we are then able to effect changes that would bring about positive results.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

I enjoyed reading this book and found it quite easy to understand with nothing bothering my mind as at now.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

All exercises I identified have been completed and have been very useful to me. Though anytime I read it again I identify a new exercise to be done.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

There is nothing that I would have liked to comment on which I have not already done.

A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8

Keys To Success
Assessment by Mary Anderson (Ghana)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Napoleon Hill’s “17 Principles of Success” conveys a varied but entwined number of ideas with a single theme running through them all; that is the human mind when maximally used positively, serves as the sole foundation of success, and this he summarizes as ‘whatever your mind can conceive and believe your mind can achieve’. Hence success, according to the author is not a regular consequence of chance but a feat that can be attained if carefully planned, fervently rehearsed with diligence and assiduousness while networking with the right people and with all your trust in the Lord God.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

The seven ideas I found personally important are the following:

* Developing definiteness of purpose
Developing a definiteness of purpose is the first and optimal necessary ingredient to success. Not only does it provide a framework within which to act, walk and rehearse as you press towards your goal; it also ensures that an aura of seriousness and direction is created around and for the individual. The individual is thus received as perceived by others while attracting onto oneself like minded people. It naturally provides a basis for accurate networking and building of master-mind alliances, as in the world of humans it is easier for likes to attract each other.

* Assembling an attractive personality
You are bought at the price at which you sell yourself’ so says an old Ghanaian adage. Hence there is no gainsaying to the fact that one’s personality could be his/her greatest asset or greatest liability. Truly personality embraces everything that one controls, hence, how it is presented and seen, communicates to others, the what and how that there are to an individual while establishing the boundaries of the space one occupies in this world. Assembling an attractive personality therefore is of great essence to the attainment of success of any hue and customarily human, for it is in giving that we receive. Thus, an attractive personality adorned with sensitivity to one’s own reaction to individuals, situations and events; and to the reaction of individuals and groups to what one thinks, says or does can get anyone to do anything that is wished for. This trait bestows on one a power to move things in any direction desired, for though saddening, naturally many are slaves because there is only one who is a master.

* Building a positive mental attitude (PMA)
As salt adds to the better taste of a delicacy, so does positive mental attitude to success. Positive mental attitude frees ones personality from all possible ills of life, which puts success in the realm of impossibility, hence with it success, becomes an act of living and as common to one and around one as habit is. It ensures we create a brighter place and situation for ourselves and others; for even if we are not responsible for the thoughts that run through our doors we are at least responsible for the ones we admit and entertain. With PMA we unconsciously and consciously live the golden rule i.e. do unto others as we wish done unto us. It is that with which one places greater emphasis and value on life and humankind even in the face of success, opulence and position.

* Learning from defeat and adversity with PMA
To almost every statement and situation there is ambiguity, as there always would be two sides to a coin. The ability to see the good (i.e. an opportunity/positive side) in a situation no matter how apparently disastrous or bad it may be is determined by ones mindset. To see the good in the bad you need to have PMA, that way you give comfort rather than being comforted; you assure rather than being reassured; brighten where darkness looms; put smiles on faces that mourn and bring hope to the hopeless in their most bleak moments. When an adversity is seen as a stepping stone and not a stumbling block, new things and situations are born. Hence there is the need to see every single defeat as a propeller to greater heights and to keep working at it until our good becomes best.

* Need to budget time and money with Positive Mental Attitude
‘Time and tide waits for no man’ and ‘time is money’. These two statements emphasize the essence of these two resources to humankind. Each of the two influences the other and their proper management is vital to achieving any successful feat in this life. Time and money are therefore important tools to success and not an end to success. Proper management of time emphasizes one’s sense of purpose and eliminates unnecessary stress. Budgeting money with a strong and growing saving cushion is an important weapon in the fight against the fear of poverty and a good source of social security. Allocation of some portion of ones income to charity is both a good religious duty and a kind act worthy of emulation by all. Habits influence our time and spending pattern, therefore it is necessary to budget both vis-à-vis our habits and lifestyles and make adjustment where necessary.

* Positive Mental Attitude promotes and ensures sound health
‘Babylon in all its desolation is a sight not so awful as that of the human mind in ruins’. Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in the mind and since we are a mind with a body, our thoughts will express themselves through our bodies. Strong, pure and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor, for what the mind focuses on, the mind brings into existence. Habits of thought always produce their own effects, good or bad, upon the body; with positive mental attitude naturally attracting the good and beautiful while the negative attract the sickly and insanitary aspects of life. Good thoughts beget good character and hence good life styles which impact positively on our health and translates as sound health.

* Using applied faith
‘To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see’, so says the Holy Bible in Hebrews 11:1. Active faith bestows on one a commitment to a Supreme Being that ensures that one lives morally and honorably and is insulated from fear and arrogance. From faith stems perseverance, it fuels diligence and serves as that which builds the foundation for our social space at the controls of societal ladder provided the mind believes without any form of doubt. To attain success requires struggles, sacrifice, discipline and tremendous faith.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas are important to me because they provide a working framework by which success can be achieved. It gives the fundamental guidelines by which living successfully becomes easy irrespective of the environment and the people I meet on my way up. These ideas are a way of living and when fervently rehearsed till they are a part of me would make me a better person than I am now. These ideas would help me serve as a better guide to the others who look up to me and enable me to live by the golden rule and be a better example for others.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

The emotions are not always immediately subject to reason but they are always immediately subject to action.

If emotions were always immediately subjected to reason, rarely would there have been offence, be it minor or criminal. Man would have been infallible, understood each other better, appreciated one another and the world would have been one without chaos. The world would have had no vices and there would have been fewer virtues.

Truth would be truth regardless of a closed mind, ignorance or refusal to believe.

The veracity of this assertion lies in the understanding of the statement itself. The truth is the truth and shall always be the truth. The truth is not deemed as such because of who speaks it or where it is said but because it is the truth. in summary truth has no determinant, it is so because it is so.

Defeat may be a stepping stone or a stumbling block, according to your mental attitude.

One’s mindset makes one a failure or successful. One with a positive mental attitude sees defeat as a veiled opportunity to shine, while a negative mind sees an end when there is defeat. Defeat therefore may be a propeller to greater heights to the positive mind and a burial point for the negative mind.

Sow an act and you reap a habit, sow a habit and you reap a character, sow a character and you reap a destiny.

This statement is one that never goes by without attention and a smile on the face. It is such a lovely statement that depicts human propensities.

Listening well is an even greater accomplishment than speaking well.

Though a greater accomplishment, listening well is one of the most difficult tasks to learn in this life as compared to speaking well. Whereas speaking well can be taught, learnt and marked, listening well is self taught and very difficult to be adjudged. Listening well enables one to reply to what is heard with words that calm situations, balm wounds and heal the hurting.

We are not on earth to live up to someone else’s expectations; to make our unique contributions to the world, we each need to prize our individual and pursue our dreams.

This in my opinion should be a slogan for each of us, so we each place value on our existence and live life each day as if that is the last we get to live and give off our best to our own course and that of humanity in general.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so, why?

The contents of the book were easy to understand and the ideas presented were fantastic and articulate to a fault. It is in fact a book that charms unendingly without wastage of any form to any commitment made towards its reading.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

The book contained a number of mental exercises for me to complete and self-analysis techniques to undertake. The exercises were very helpful and the self-analysis techniques were very enlightening and these together provided a self improving guide for me.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

The is nothing I would like to touch on that is not previously covered for by the questions already answered.

A. How interesting was it to read 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

Psycho Cybernetics
Assessment by Mary Anderson (Ghana)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

This book is essentially about changing and/or reshaping our habits towards the issues of life so as to make success an act of living. In other words, the author teaches how to work out success by fading out habits that make us fail and adopting success styled habits. It further teaches that humans are not stereotyped machines with their lives programmed to follow a certain course as their fate, but discusses destiny as a course that can be charted by us in our own desirable ways.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

* Development of an action plan for improving my personal and professional life

The significance of this idea to me is summarized in Maxwell Maltz’s quote; “we are engineered as goal seeking mechanisms. We are built that way. When we have no personal goal which we are interested in and which means something to us, we are apt to go around in circles, feel lost and find life itself aimless. …..People who say life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile”. A fantastic self explanatory quote that gives nothing but encouragement and a strong reason to move on if stalled in life, irrespective of the nature of the stumbling block. For failing to plan is surely planning to fail.

* Being more assertive with friends, family members and difficult coworkers

Our world today has more of those who do not know when to limit their interference into the personal issues of others and those who tend to abuse the leniency and tolerance of others. The situation is even worse when they are closer to us and think they are acting in our best interest. There is therefore the need for one to be assertive so as not to offend those that have good intentions, loved ones and coworkers. This idea is vital because when it is absent there tend to be more discord and social derangement. It is an important idea with effective communication as its hallmark. It is an idea that inferentially requires us to develop certain virtues, notably, prudence, patience and respect for others.

* Coping successfully with severe emotional blows

Usually severe emotional blows are dealt us by the ones we love or have loved before, care about and mean a lot to us, rarely do we suffer such fate in the hands of people we know not. It takes such ones to hurt us beyond repairs and force us through a Gethsemane that initially shows no sign of ending, for they are the ones that know us; our weaknesses and our strength, what ticks us and what glooms us, what gives us confidence and what breaks down our defenses, in summary the ones that know us inside out. It is in such moments that it dawns on us the affection wasted, by vesting any of the positive spectrums of emotions in the wrong person. The initial sense of betrayal and loss felt are overwhelming, and then do we realize the valourous Julius Caesar of Shakespearean fame died out of betrayal other than the stab of a knife. It takes belief in God and strong determination to get over it and move on. Touching on this idea reminds me of how timely and beneficial this book has been to me in the past year especially through my darkest times, while the world around me thought I had it all. Though not as easily executed as it is written, there finally comes a time when the wounds of yesteryears heal; and up to this end the fact remains that the winner is the man or woman, who personalizes not poor results, go through the storms of life, sees the wickedness of the human heart and still emerges a better person than previously was.

* Anticipating and preparing for career changes

Anticipating for career changes or demands is inevitable in the world of success and preparing to accommodate this situation as and when it arises has become necessary. Though this puts overwhelming demands on us in all phases of our lives, adjusting to new responsibilities without being overwhelmed is vital for the sustenance of the feat achieved. To greet new responsibilities with enthusiasm requires adequate planning and appropriate adjustments to make you and every other person affected by the changes be ready for them, that way we are feel the changes less and even get to be supported by ones we care about.

* Relaxation a vital tool to success

‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and all play and no work makes Jack a lazy boy’, so says an old nursery rhyme. I cannot agree any less with this rhyme. Relaxation oils the success mechanism by providing an avenue for reflection, with intermittent sparks of creative insights. It is best defined as whatever a body is not obliged to do and this is the way, our habits and lifestyles are known to be formed, be they good or bad; it is therefore important to make time for relaxation so we can form and reshape ourselves in ways so desired.

“Our disturbed feelings – our anger, hostility, fear, anxiety, insecurity, are caused by our own responses – not by externals…. Thus, relaxation is nature’s own tranquilizer, which erects a psychic screen… between you and the disturbing stimulus”(M. Maltz). Since the mind is capable of accelerated feats of learning and memory when relaxed, relaxation is deemed a gateway to learning, whatever we deem desirous. It is the safest and surest angle to turn to when frustration sets in, in the course of pursuing our dreams and goals.

* Replacing stress and anxiety with positive action

Stress and anxiety place their own demands on us and on our quest for success. It jams our creative mechanism and stalls our progress. Hence once they have been overcome in relaxation, it becomes necessary that they be replaced with positive actions. Getting into action and specifically positive one is the secret of accomplishment. So in order to succeed we have to put our dreams, imaginings and wishes to the test to make them a reality, for any of the latter in isolation is never enough. It is through this that they can be perfected.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas are vital to me in both my personal and social life. Their essence is felt in their daily practice, where they come in handy for the daily real life situations. It prepares you psychologically for life situations and makes me less overwhelmed when I encounter a similar situation. These ideas help in presenting a more matured personality while equipping one with the necessary skills to face the daily challenges that come with the new responsibilities borne day by day. These ideas have also enabled me to understand humans the more and how to live with them with little or no friction.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

• It is your self-image that sets the limits for what you can and cannot achieve – “ the area of the possible”

This assertion cannot be gainsaid, for one can only go as far as one’s mind can go. He who has a negative image of himself accepts pre-existing conditions as destiny, takes refuge in the word fate and usually does nothing about his situation. Those with positive self images tend to see opportunities even in the gloomiest situations, challenge the status quo, move the systems and even get to dictate the era. That is the magical ability of a mind that is well trained and projects a positive image of the bearer. Your self image sells you at the price at which you want to be bought, presents you as you want presented, takes you as far as it can reach and makes you what it thinks you are. It is the determinant of what one thinks and how one thinks; it defines one summarily and sets the boundaries of the space one occupies, time one uses up fruitfully and the contribution one makes to this world.

• Self esteem is the likeliest candidate for a social vaccine, something that empowers us to live responsibly and that inoculates us against the lure of crime, violence, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, child abuse, chronic welfare dependency and educational failure.

There cannot be any other powerful and all embracing vaccine for our present society characterized by more physical courage and less moral courage than self esteem. It is indeed the likeliest social vaccine for the eradication of most social ills if not all. It cures society of its ills while being the most palliative resort in the most turbulent times when reasoning has failed. Self esteem gives us reasons to live worthwhile for the sake of a yet to be experienced tomorrow. It is that which tasks our conscience and gives us reasons for social accountability in the future.

• The winner is the man or woman who does not personalize poor results

Personalizing poor results is in other words accepting failure rather admitting to it. Though not easier done than said, the winner truly is the one that can get over one stage of failure and acknowledge the weaknesses and the loose ends that led to the failure and move on, determined to make corrections where necessary. The true winner wins without boasting, looses without squealing and is respected by all.

• If we watch limits instead of destinations, we bump up against those limits.

This statement is emphasized by R. W. Emerson when he said “aim above the mark to hit the mark”. This statement encourages us to look beyond our shortfalls and our weaknesses if we want to make it to the top. Focusing on the limits makes us short sighted, neglect opportunities and fail to take risks.

* Be careful what you say to your children. They may agree with you. Before calling a child “stupid” or “clumsy” or “bad” or a “disappointment,” it is important for a parent to consider the question “ Is this how I wish my child to experience him or herself ?”

‘The proper way to influence a child’s habit is to start hundred years before he is born’; upon a cursory look at this statement the first time I saw it I found it funny but another look and careful analysis taught me that it carried a lot than it appeared. Parenting offers a continual process of remaking our children extra uterine, and therefore requires a lot from the bearers of the inscription, parents. It is important for parents to imprint on the minds of their wards a sense of positive self esteem very early so as to enable them to be better persons in the future.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so, why?

The concept of infundibulum was one I could not grasp and hence did not benefit from.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

The book did contain a number of exercises for me to complete, I practised and lived most of them for as earlier stated they were timely and I needed to know and live them, for circumstances of the time dictated so.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

There is nothing to touch on that has not already been done.

A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9